A NATIONAL park authority has condemned wildlife criminals who set an elevated trap to catch a young buzzard, which was put down after suffering horrifying injuries.

The bird of prey, protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, was found alive, with a missing foot, damage to flight and tail feathers, on Sunday in Westerdale, on the North York Moors, an area known for grouse shooting in the late summer and autumn.

It had been caught in a banned spring-loaded trap, which had been placed on a pole which birds of prey use as a vantage point to hunt.

It is thought the bird lost its leg while attempting to free itself from the trap.

After being taken to Ryedale Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Malton, x-rays revealed a shotgun pellet was lodged in the juvenile buzzard's remaining leg.

A North York Moors National Park Authority spokesman described the incident as "extremely worrying" and said recent statistics on bird of prey persecution in the area meant that its staff would continue to be vigilant.

He said: "The authority is appalled by this case and we will support the police in their investigations in whatever way possible.

"We do not tolerate wildlife crime in any shape or form and fully support the police where it appears that a crime has been committed. Indeed the input of our staff was critical to ensuring a successful prosecution in recent years and we have pressed the police to make this a priority."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 and ask to speak to PC Jez Walmsley.